Peruse the latest issue ofCurated Quilts and you’ll find yourself craving gorgeous curved quilt designs. They’re not quite as dangerous as some might imagine. Curves are surprisingly approachable, incredibly adaptable, and thoroughly modern. These modern quilts are based on traditional blocks happened to catch our eye and we have a feeling you’ll be captivated too.
Drunkard’s Path
This well-loved quilt block from centuries past has had a resurgence among modern quilters. With an endless array of variations, it always seems fresh and new. The gentle curve of a Drunkard’s Path block is an approachable way to begin your foray into curved piecing, if you’re still a bit hesitant. Once you get the hang of it, it’s sure to become a new favorite.
Bold colors wake up the traditional Drunkard’s Path block and it is transformed into a lively tropical landscape with rolling waves and a darkening sky at twilight.
This elongated Drunkard’s Path block flows smoothly against a bubblegum pink background, and was inspired by the Japanese concept of Notan, how the play between light and dark affects the overall design.
Double Wedding Ring
The classic Double Wedding Ring (DWR) has a reputation of being tricky, but updated cutting and piecing techniques will help you sew these curves with absolute confidence.
Packed with powerful imagery, this DWR uses a neutral color palette with thoughtfully placed segments of bright red and yellow. It’s thoroughly engrossing, causing the viewer to reconsider this traditional design in its entirety.
Pickle Dish
A close cousin to the Double Wedding Ring, Pickle Dish quilts are whimsical and easy to adapt to a modern aesthetic. The playful striped curves are begging to be made with all your scraps!
Without entirely meaning to, Kelly created a large-scale Pickle Dish quilt from neglected WIPs. An inherited bunch of Stack-n-Whack blocks, pieced into long, graceful curves, resulted in this wonderfully “Felicitous Pickle.”
Deep See by Sherri Lynn Wood
Without mentioning a specific connection to the traditional Pickle Dish quilt, “Deep See” follows those familiar striped curves, twisting and turning into a new creature. Embracing the rhythm of improv, Sherri channeled the bright colors and bold lines of an urban, graffitied neighborhood and brought it to life in this design.
New York Beauty
Modern Times by Jenny Haynes
Combining traditional quilt patterns seems to be a theme here. This clever quilt design came about as Jenny played with the New York Beauty and Drunkard’s Path blocks. She described it as coming from a place of pure joy. It’s hard not to smile while gazing upon “Modern Times.”
Curved Applique Piecing
Counterpart by Riane Menardi Morrison
Astonishing in its depth, but beautiful in its simplicity, “Counterpart” was inspired by wedding rings and traditional wedding ring quilt pattern. The rings are made with bias strip appliqué, and hand quilted with sashimi thread.
Inspired by her love of Scandinavian design, Latifah ventured boldly into the world of applique with bright red bias tape and the tiniest hint of refreshing aqua on a neutral background. It’s an inspiring example of using a traditional material in a brand new way.